Guilty plea in hanged donkey case

An East Texas man will spend 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to a cruelty to livestock animal charge.

Back in July, police found a dead donkey hanging from a tree behind the land of Anthony Bassler, 35, of Ore City.

Officials with the Upshur County Sheriff's Office say it appeared Bassler tortured the animals.

A malnourished goat and donkey were seized from the property. When Upshur County Deputies arrived to take the animals and serve the search warrant, the disturbing scene was found: A second donkey, dead, hanging from a tree behind the home.

Bassler told police he used the donkey as panther bait, but neighbors have not seen a panther.

Authorities said the evidence did not line up with his story. Bassler was also arrested in 2009 for cruelty to animals.

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